Chapter 426 - 22 Hours

Ariana looked at what she packed. Her bag was full but she couldn't afford to take anymore then what she grabbed. "You know I can hold stuff for you in the realm of darkness." Loralei said as she looked up at Ariana. "No. Even if you put it in that space there is no guarentee that it will be safe." Ariana said as she smiled at her chibi fish. Loralei's change was a shock to her and Loralei herself.

When she saw herself in the mirror she told Ariana that she had got part of her original human form back. Ariana didn't know what that meant and she didn't bother giving it more thought, there was no time. Just like Loralei, Aroha, Rahul and even Vasu upgraded themselves but they were still a solid colour unlike Loralei. There must have been an important step that they had to reach before they could change.

Vasu wasn't happy with his new form, it was too human like for his liking but Ariana made sure to flatter him so he wouldn't hate it too much. Ariana looked at Thor who was watching them with curious eyes. "Thor, sweetie pie I have a very important job for you." Ariana said in the sweetest voice she could produce. 'Job for me?' He asked as he tilted his head to the right.

"That's right honey." Ariana said happily. 'No thank you.' Thor said as he turned his face away. "Please, it's going to be super important. It's for your mommy and daddy." Ariana said as she approached Thor and stretched out her hand. 'No. You want to leave us alone.' Thor pouted just as Ariana started to stroke his head, "I know I'm being a bad aunty but Thor if you don't do this job your mommy might do something dangerous or worse cry her heart out." Ariana said gently.

'Mommy will cry?' Thor asked with a shaky voice. He brought his gaze to Ariana and Ariana caught sight of the tears in his big, round eyes. "Oh sweetie!" Ariana said as she hugged Thor. "Yes your mommy will cry, maybe even get mad at me but she has to take care of your daddy first! That is the most important job she needs to do. When that job is done I will know and I will try to talk to her again." Ariana said as she tightened her embrace on Thor.

'... Okay. I don't want mommy to cry though.' Thor said weakly as he snuggled up to Ariana. "I know but she needs to be safe. I want you to have your mommy for a long time." Ariana whispered. 'I do too.' Thor admitted. "Okay." Ariana said as tears started to well up. She slightly push Thor out of her embrace and pulled an envelope out of her jacket pocket. "T-this letter can only be given to your mommy.... If anyone else tries to read it I need you to burn it." Ariana instructed.

'Burn it?' Thor asked doubtfully. "Yes. If anyone else sees this she might get into a lot of trouble." Ariana said with a firm head nod. 'I will do it aunty Ariana.' Thor said with conviction. "Good boy." Ariana said as she scratched his chin. Ariana looked at Thor for a little while longer and sighed. 'Ariana we only have 22 hours left.' Davita called out gently. "I need to go now." Ariana said as she placed a sweet kiss on Thor's forehead.

'Will you be gone forever?' Thor asked just as Ariana got up from the bed. "No." Ariana said without hesitation. Thor looked at Ariana and then nodded his head. 'Bye aunty.' Thor said in a feeble voice. "Bye Thor." Ariana said with a sad smile then she grabbed her bag and put around her body. She walked up to the door and felt her heart sink further into her stomach as she took each step. 'Love you aunty. Stay safe.' Thor called out. Ariana choked on the sob that threatened to come up.

She covered her mouth and tears rolled down with out discrimination. Ariana took a couple of muffled breaths in and tried to compose herself. "I love you too." She said then rushed out the door. Ariana rushed down the hall and raced down the stairs. Everyone was still within the Academy so she didn't have to worry about running into anyone. "Hey!" A familiar voice shouted furiously. Ariana turned to the voice and cursed her luck.

"Where have you been?!" Vanessa shouted as she rushed up to Ariana. "Vanessa I don't have much time." Ariana said as she looked at Vanessa. "I'd say! Do you know that Ms. Hadley is furious and is looking for, hey... what the hell happened to you?" Vanessa asked as her temper sizzled to a mere simmer. "Nothing." Ariana said as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "Fine, don't tell me but what are you wearing?" Vanessa asked as she eyed Ariana from head to toe.

Ariana was wearing a navy blue varsity jacket with white sleeves and a rose emblem on the right sleeve. Short, distressed denim shorts with a wide, white belt and silver buckle and a steel grey, pleated blouse. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she wore her signature red ribbon in her hair. "I," Ariana started but Vanessa wasn't listening. Her eyes stopped on the school bag, it was packed to the brim. "You're leaving...." Vanessa whispered.

Ariana took a step back, she was shocked that Vanessa realized it right away. "I have too." Ariana admitted. "... Why? I'm not harassing you anymore... And you have Cayden, so you don't need to leave. There shouldn't be a reason for you to leave." Vanessa said pitifully. "It's not because of you." Ariana said as she took another step back. "You're lying!" Vanessa shouted in frustration. "Vanessa." Ariana called out. "Fine! Leave! Who needs you!" Vanessa shouted.

"Vanessa, I need to leave to keep you and everyone else safe!" Ariana protested. "I won't tell anyone about who you are!" Vanessa shouted. "So stay... be my friend and don't abandon me..." Vanessa said as she scrunched up her face, fight the tears that welled up. Ariana rushed forward and caught Vanessa with in her embrace. "We are friends, so please watch over Edlyn... and take care of yourself." Ariana said before she struck the back of Vanessa's neck. "W-w-wha..." Vanessa said before she blacked out. "I'm sorry." Ariana said.